Therapy to support families of young people at risk for psychosis

Family-Focused Therapy for Individuals at High Clinical Risk for Psychosis: A Confirmatory Efficacy Trial

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10674012

This study is testing a special therapy for teens and young adults who are at risk of developing psychosis, where they and their parents will work together in 18 sessions over six months to improve family communication and support, and see if this helps prevent symptoms better than regular care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10674012 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a family-focused therapy designed for adolescents and young adults who are at high clinical risk for developing psychosis. The therapy aims to improve communication within families and reduce symptoms associated with psychosis risk through a structured program of psychoeducation and skills training. Participants will engage in 18 therapy sessions over six months, alongside their parents, to enhance family dynamics and support. The study will compare the effectiveness of this therapy against a standard care approach to determine its efficacy in preventing the onset of psychotic disorders.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults aged 13 to 25 who are identified as being at clinical high risk for psychosis.

Not a fit: Patients who are not at clinical high risk for psychosis or those who are already experiencing full-blown psychotic disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of psychosis in young individuals by improving family support and communication.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with family-focused therapy approaches in improving outcomes for individuals at risk for psychosis, indicating a promising avenue for further investigation.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Mental disordersMental health disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.